OBITUARIES FOR
FRIDAY, NOV. 23, 2001
DOROTHY
VIRGINIA TURNISPEED
Retired Secretary
Graveside services for
Dorothy Virginia Turnipseed will be held today at 11 a.m. at Hopewell Cemetery
near McCool with Jordan Funeral Home of Kosciusko in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Turnipseed, 79, of
Meridian, was a retired secretary at Magnolia Mills and was a member of
Hopewell Baptist Church.
Survivors include her
husband, John F. Turnipseed, two daughters, Donna and Dawn Turnipseed,
all of Meridian; two sisters, Beatrice Morgan, of McCool and Norma Hunt
of Meridian; four sisters-in-law, Isadora Turnipseed and Vera Rodgers,
both of Weir; Frances Burch of Brandon; and Jeanette Hunt of McCool.
MARIE
POSEY NELSON
Homemaker
PHILADELPHIA -- Services
for Marie Posey Nelson will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove
Baptist Church with the Revs. Lin Chesney, Mike Truhitt and Rusty Walton
officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery with McClain-Hays
Funeral Home of Philadelphia in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Nelson, 80, of Union,
died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001 at her home. She was a native of Neshoba County
and married in 1945. She was a longtime resident of the House Community
and a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include her
husband, Oree Nelson, and son, Tim Nelson, both of Union; her daughter,
Tjawanna Gordon and her husband, Gary, of Meridian; her grandson, Devin
Gordon, of Meridian; two sisters, Cleo Ward, of Philadelphia; and Audie
Kruger of Hollandale, Fla.; two brothers, Norman Posey, of Philadelphia,
and Derwood Posey of Pensacola, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held
today from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
POLLY BEAMAN COVERT TORRANCE
Homemaker, breadwinner
and community volunteer
Memorial services for
Polly Beaman Covert Torrance will be held at Stephens Funeral Home Tuesday,
with visitation from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m., and a chapel service officiated
by the Rev. Don Malin at 2:30 p.m. The cremated remains will be buried
with her father in Tennessee at a later date. After the services, all family,
friends and acquaintances are encouraged to attend the "Celebration of
Life" light tea that will be held at Ms. Covert's home.
Mrs. Torrance, 84, of
Meridian, died Saturday, Nov. 17, 2001, at Guardian Angel Hospice.
She is survived by her
daughter, Dibrell "Dibbs" Covert, her son, William "Bill" Covert, her grandchildren
Gregory S. Gold, Christy Covert and Tal Covert, and her great-grandchildren
by Tal and Sally Sailor Covert, Lucy Marie and Polly Doloris.
Mrs. Torrance, who was
born in Tennessee, grew up in Birmingham and moved to Meridian as a young
girl. She was a literacy volunteer, a Red Cross volunteer, an RSVP volunteer
as well as a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
OBITUARIES FOR SATURDAY,
NOV. 24, 2001
RAY GRIFFITH
Retired truck driver and
mechanic
Graveside services for
Ray Griffith will be held today at 11 a.m. at Meridian Memorial Park Cemetery
with the Rev. Nick Holden officiating. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in
charge of arrangements.
Mr. Griffith, 78, of Meridian,
died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include his
wife, Clara Griffith, a son, Brian Griffith and a daughter, Amanda Griffith,
all of Meridian; grandchildren, Blake Griffith and Julie Griffith; stepsons,
Robert Singleton and David Singleton; a brother, Jack Griffith; and several
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death
by his parents, Ernest and Grace Griffith; and two brothers, Judson and
Raymond Griffith.
Pallbearers will be Brad
Gressett, James Smith, Donnie Bracken, Jackie Griffith, Edgar Bracken and
Kinnie Ford.
DEE STRUM KING
PHILADELPHIA -- Services
for Dee Strum King will be held today at 11 a.m. at McClain-Hayes Chapel
of Philadelphia with the Rev. Wayne Hill officiating. Burial will be in
Cedar Lawn Cemetery.
Mrs. King, 77, of Philadelphia,
died Thursday Nov. 22, 2001, at Rush Foundation Hospital.
Survivors include her
son, Kenny King, her sister, Kate McLelland, and two grandchildren.
WILLIAM G. THOMAS
MOBILE, Ala. -- Services
for William G. Thomas will be held today at 1 p.m. at Mobile Memorial Gardens
Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Thomas, a native of
Union and former resident of Meridian, died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001, at
a Mobile hospital. He had been a resident of Mobile since 1941.
Survivors include his
wife, Zora Winstead Burton Thomas of Mobile; two stepdaughters, Pearlene
Eshee of Pensacola Beach, Fla., and Juanice Cleveland of Union; one grandson
and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death
by a son, James William Thomas.
The family requests memorials
be made to Moffat Road Baptist Church.
EDITH GORDON
Sales clerk
Graveside services for
Edith Gordon will be held today at 3 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery with the
Revs. Dr. Thad Moore and Joe Gordon officiating. Burial will be in the
cemetery with Stephens Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Gordon, 89, of Marion,
died Friday, Nov. 23, 2001 at Guardian Angel Hospice. She was an accomplished
seamstress who worked as a sewer. But her skills were best used doing needlepoint
and the thousands of pieces of crochet she made for family and friends.
Mrs. Gordon was a homemaker
and for many years sold shoes at Marks Rothenburg's and McRae's Department
Stores. Her love was her family, including all the nieces and nephews,
many of whom she claimed as her grandchildren. She was a longtime member
of Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death
by her father, J.E. Willoughby, her mother, Almeda Bishop Willoughby, her
husband, George Chester Gordon, and her son, Norman Eugene Moore.
Survivors include her
sons, Clark Gordon and his wife, Ivonne, of Meridian; Danny Paul Gordon
and his wife, Gail, of Smyrna, Ga.; Joe Gordon and his wife, Sheila, of
Birmingham; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law,
four sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorials
be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church.
Visitation will be from
2 p.m.-3 p.m. today at the funeral home.
OBITUARIES FOR SUNDAY,
NOV. 25, 2001
MARY RUTH BURROUGHS
Seamstress
PHILADELPHIA -- Services
for Mary Ruth Burroughs will be held today at 2 p.m. at John E. Stephens
Chapel with the Revs. Charles Morrow and Jimmy Harrison officiating. Burial
will be in Morrow Cemetery.
Mrs. Burroughs, 70, of
Philadelphia, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2001 at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical
Center.
Survivors included her
husband, Coytley Burroughs, and her daughter, Melissa Killen, both of Philadelphia;
her daughter, Christie Poling of Walnut Grove; three sisters, Pearl Skinner
and Katherine Neese, both of Union; and Patricia Jolly of Morton; and five
grandchildren.
GARY PAUL RENFROW
Off-shore derek-man
NEWTON -- Services for
Gary Paul Renfrow will be held Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Barham Funeral Home
in Newton with the Revs. Otha Dennis and Ron Gilstrap officiating. Burial
will be in Sharon Cemetery.
Mr. Renfrow, 28, of Decatur,
died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001 at Rush Foundation Hospital. He was a loving
husband and father, and an avid hunter and fisherman.
Survivors include his
wife, Cynthia Renfrow, and his daughter, Raigan Renfrow, both of Decatur;
his mother, Linda Roncali, and his step father, Lewis Roncali, both of
Newton; his sister, Melissa Cooksey of Lake; two brothers, Donald Renfrow
of Newton; and David Renfrow of Jackson; a brother-in-law, Scott Doss,
and a mother-in-law, Betty Doss, both of Decatur; and a grandmother, Ora
Doss of Newton.
He was preceded in death
by his father, Gary Renfrow.
Visitation will be today
from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Scott
Doss, Steve Doss, Bryan Doss, Carlos Roncali and Shane Shaw.
BERTHA ELIZABETH KITCHENS
Graveside services for
Bertha Elizabeth Kitchens will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Magnolia
Cemetery with the Rev. Jack O. Giles officiating. Stephens Funeral Home
is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Kitchens, 91, of
Bartow, Fla., died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001 at her home. She was employed
with Wilson's Drug Store and a member of Bartow First United Methodist
Church and the Bartow Lioness Club. A former resident of Meridian, Mrs.
Kitchens was also an avid bridge player and golfer.
Survivors include her
two daughters, Betty C. Dawkins of Meridian, and Carolyn K. Durham of Wytheville,
Va.; her grandchildren, Barry Gilbert Dawkins, William Thomas Dawkins,
Robert L. Dawkins, Bradley James Dawkins, Mark Durham, Becky Dawkins Emblidge,
Elizabeth M. Epperly and Catherine A. Moore; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death
by her husband, James "Kitch" Kitchens.
Pallbearers will be Barry
Gilber Dawkins, William Thomas Dawkins, Bradley James Dawkins, Becky Dawkins
Emblidge, John T. Dawkins and Scott Emblidge.
EARNEST COLE
Arrangements were incomplete
at Berry & Gardner Funeral Home for Earnest Cole, 64, of Meridian,
who died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001 at his home.
BOBBY LANG
Arrangements were incomplete
at James F. Webb Funeral Home for Bobby Lang, 65, of Meridian, who died
Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001 at Rush Foundation Hospital.
engagements; NOV. 25,
2001
Armstrong, Agent
Mr. and Mrs. Donald L.
Armstrong of Lauderdale announce the engagement of their daughter, Rebecca
Ann, to Byran Scott Agent, son of Mr. and Mrs. James L. Agent of Meridian.
The wedding will be held
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, at 2 p.m. at NorthPark Church.
Miss Armstrong is the
granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Tate of Seattle, the late Donald
L. Armstrong of Oilton, Okla., and the late Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Reeves of
Como, Texas.
The bride-elect is a graduate
of Northeast Lauderdale High School and received a licensed practical nursing
degree from Meridian Community College.
While attending MCC, she
was a member of HOSA. She is employed as a LPN at the East Mississippi
Correctional Facility.
Mr. Agent is the grandson
of Vermel Downs of Meridian and the late Dewey Downs; Alma Agent of Meridian
and the late William Agent.
The bridegroom-elect is
a graduate of Meridian High School.
A reception will be held
at the church following the ceremony. Family and friends are invited to
attend.
Long, Hutchinson
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Erst
Long III of Meridian announce the engagement of their daughter, Peyton
Palmer, to Burnell Flowers Hutchinson, son of Dr. and Mrs. Clyde Maxwell
Hutchinson of Tupelo.
Wedding vows will be exchanged
on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001, at 6 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in
Meridian.
The bride-elect is the
granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Milton Palmer of Houston, and Mr. and
Mrs. Samuel Erst Long,Jr. of Corinth.
Miss Long is a graduate
of Lamar High School. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of
Mississippi, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She currently
resides in Oxford where she is a self-employed artist.
The bridegroom-elect is
the grandson of the late Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Burnell Flowers of West Point
and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Dudley Hutchinson of Columbus.
Mr. Hutchinson is a graduate
of Tupelo High School. He currently attends the University of Mississippi
where he is a member of the Ole Miss baseball team and Sigma Chi fraternity.
In 2001, he was named
First Team All-SEC and Second Team All-American. For the upcoming season,
he will be the Ole Miss baseball team captain. Mr. Hutchinson will graduate
in the spring with a degree in marketing.
A reception will be held
at Northwood Country Club following the ceremony.
McCollum, Couch
Mr. and Mrs. Murvis McCollum
Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Irvin Couch announce the engagement of their
children, Jennifer Anne McCollum and Thomas Ryan Couch.
The wedding will be held
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Meridian.
The bride-elect is the
granddaughter of Paul L. Harper and the late Ruth Edna Harper, and the
late Mr. and Mrs. Murvis McCollum Sr.
Miss McCollum is a graduate
of Southeast Lauderdale High School and the University of West Alabama.
She is currently employed as a registered nurse at The Specialty Hospital
of Meridian.
The bridegroom-elect is
the grandson of Glenda Rose Couch and the late Roy Thomas Couch; Shirley
June Alexander and the late Hubert Harris Homnesley.
Mr. Couch is self-employed
with Mike Couch & Sons Refrigeration of Meridian.
A reception will be held
in the church fellowship hall following the ceremony. Family and friends
are invited to attend.
Martin, Johnson
Jessica Stagg of Shubuta
and John Jordan of Slidell, La., announce the engagement of their daughter,
Tiffany Martine Martin, to Jeffery Scott Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael
Johnson of Quitman.
The wedding will be held
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at 2 p.m. at Shubuta Baptist Church.
Miss Martin is the granddaughter
of Don Stagg of Biloxi, Jessie Stagg of Shubuta and Mr. and Mrs. Walt Jordan
of Spartenburg, S.C.
The bride-elect is a graduate
of Quitman High School.
Mr. Johnson is the grandson
of Betty Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Ted Jacobs, all of Quitman. He is the
great-grandson of Mae Aldridge of Stonewall and Ed Herrington of Quitman.
The bridegroom-elect is
a graduate of Quitman High School and is employed by Avondale in Biloxi.
A reception will be held
in the church fellowship hall following the ceremony. Family and friends
are invited to attend.
Lewis, Clay
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Daniel
Lewis of Quitman announce the engagement of their daughter, Tabitha Gayle,
to Stephen Lamar Clay, son of Dr. and Mrs. John Calvin Clay of Meridian.
The wedding will be held
Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, at 11:30 a.m. at Rolling Creek Baptist Church
in Quitman.
Miss Lewis is the granddaughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Don Napp of Quitman, James L. Lewis of Stonewall and the
late Mary L. Lewis. She is the great-granddaughter of Curtis Reeves of
Quitman and Abbie Parker of Meridian.
The bride-elect is a graduate
of Quitman High School and is attending Meridian Community College pursuing
a degree in nursing.
At MCC, she is a member
of the Organization of Student Nursing and Mississippi Organization of
Associate Degree Nursing Students.
Mr. Clay is the grandson
of Mrs. Lamar Calvin Clay and the late Mr. Clay and the late Mr. and Mrs.
John Herschel Chisolm, all of Collinsville.
The bridegroom-elect is
a graduate of Jackson Academy and Mississippi State University, Meridian
branch.
While attending MSU, he
served as treasurer of the Student Social Worker Association, a senator
for the Student Government Association and as vice president of Phi Alpha
Honor Society.
A reception will be held
at the church's Family Life Center following the ceremony. Family and friends
are invited to attend.
Gray, Prokopowicz
Rebecca W. Gray and Dr.
Adam K. Prokopowicz will be united in marriage on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2001,
at 2 p.m. at the home of Elaine White in Bailey.
Parents of the couple
are Jane White of Meridian and the late Dr. Reginald White, the late Irmina
Prokopowicz and the late Romuald Prokopowicz of Warsaw, Poland.
The bride-elect is the
granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. David White of Meridian.
Ms. Gray is a graduate
of Meridian High School and received a bachelor's degree from the University
of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. She is employed as a pharmacist at St.
Dominic Hospital in Jackson.
The bridegroom-elect earned
a doctorate from the Warsaw School of Economics, a master's degree from
Warsaw University Law and Business Administration Department and a master's
degree from the International Business Department of Warsaw School of Economics.
He is a professor with
the University of New Orleans and serves as vice president of IP International
Consulting.
Dr. Prokopowicz served
as an advisor to the World Bank, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development,
governments and the private sector in more than 25 countries in the United
States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
A reception will be held
at the home of the bride's mother following the ceremony.
Branton, Cramblitt
Patricia Moss Branton
of Meridian announces the engagement of her daughter, Lisa Kelly, to Joey
Cramblitt, son of Steve Cramblitt of Butler, Ala., and Laura Reeves of
Meridian.
The wedding will be held
Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, at 6 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Mediator.
Miss Branton is the granddaughter
of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Moss of Meridian and the late Virginia Moss;
Jean Branton of Meridian and the late Earl Branton.
The bride-elect is a graduate
of Meridian High School and received a bachelor's degree in psychology
from the University of Mississippi.
While attending Ole Miss,
she was a member of Phi Mu sorority and served as the philanthropy chairman.
Mr. Cramblitt is the grandson
of Jim and Joyce Reeves of Meridian; Ellen Cramblitt of Mobile, Ala., and
the late Charles Cramblitt Sr.
The bridegroom-elect is
a graduate of Mississippi School for Math and Science and received a bachelor
of business administration, with an emphasis in managerial finance, from
the University of Mississippi.
While attending Ole Miss,
he was a member of the Ole Miss baseball team, Ole Miss Hall of Fame, Phi
Kappa Phi Honorary Society and the M Club for athletic letter winners.
He was also a Herrin-Hess Scholar.
Mr. Cramblitt is employed
by the Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Organization.
A reception will be held
in the church parish hall following the ceremony.
McCary, Davis
Ricky and Teresa McCary
of Collinsville announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Lynn,
to Christopher Brian Davis, son of Van and Melanie Davis, and Bobby and
Carmen Renfrow, all of Meridian.
The wedding will be held
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at 3 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church.
Miss McCary is the granddaughter
of Rose Moseley and the late Edward T. Moseley, James R. McCary and the
late Mabel McCary, all of Meridian.
The bride-elect is a graduate
of West Lauderdale High School and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in interior
design at the University of Southern Mississippi.
At USM, she is a member
of the student chapter of American Society of Interior Designers, Kappa
Omicron Nu Honor Society, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and the Golden Key
National Honor Society.
Mr. Davis is the grandson
of Mr. and Mrs. Bernice Davis of Meridian; Bruce Womack and the late Allene
Womack.
The bridegroom-elect is
a graduate of West Lauderdale High School and received a bachelor's degree
in polymer science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Mr. Davis is employed
by Mississippi Polymer Technologies.
A reception will be held
at Union Station following the ceremony. Family and friends are invited
to attend.
weddings; Nov. 25, 2001
Belk, Starnes
Carol Hicks Starnes and
Robert "Bobby" Belk Sr. were united in marriage in an afternoon ceremony,
on Saturday, Oct. 27. 2001. The ceremony took place at the historic Bluff
Springs Baptist Church near Union, with the Rev. David Hardy officiating.
Parents of the couple
are Carrie Selma Hicks of Fredericksburg, Va., and the late Thomas Isaac
Hicks and the late Rufus and Mavous Belk.
Music for the ceremony
was provided by Carolyn Starnes and Mike Barker.
The bride was given in
marriage by her son, Paul Robert Starnes of New Orleans. She wore a silk
princess line gown in candlelight ivory and carried a bouquet of fall silk
roses.
Patricia Starnes Culpepper
of Birmingham, Ala., daughter of the bride, served as matron of honor.
Bridesmaids were Kellye
Belk, Kala Belk, Lindsey Belk and Saber Starnes, granddaughters of the
couple.
Flower girls were Jaley
Culpepper and Carmen Belk.
The bridegroom was attended
by his eldest son, Robert "Robby" Belk Jr. of Hernando.
Groomsmen were Richard
Belk and Ross Belk, sons of the bridegroom, Chris Belk, grandson of the
bridegroom, and Matthew Starnes, grandson of the bride. Ring bearers were
Alden Belk and Phillip Starnes.
A highlight of the ceremony
was the recitation of a poem written by the bridegroom entitled "The Seasons
of Our Lives," by Richard Belk.
The couple chose Bluff
Springs Church for the ceremony for its close ties with Mr. Belk's family
history. The bridegroom's parents were members of the church during his
formative years. The site also is the place where he attended school through
the eighth grade.
Following the ceremony,
the couple was taken by a mule drawn carriage to their residence for an
outdoor reception. The carriage was owned by a neighbor, William Moore,
and his children.
